Trump talks with Democrats fail to yield breakthrough as US shutdown nears

Democrats strike optimistic tone after high-stakes meeting but Republicans accuse rivals of ‘hostage-taking’

US President Donald Trump. File picture

A high-stakes meeting between Donald Trump and top congressional Democrats on Monday resulted in no apparent breakthrough in negotiations to keep the government open, with JD Vance declaring afterwards: “I think we are headed into a shutdown.” 

Democrats, who are refusing to support the GOP’s legislation to continue funding beyond Tuesday unless it includes several healthcare provisions, struck a more optimistic tone following the Oval Office encounter, which also included the Republican leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives.